Bi-stable semi-collapsible container for stacking

ABSTRACT

A bottle including a finish defining a bottle opening, a collapsible assembly carrying the finish, the collapsible assembly including a first groove coupled to a second groove by a connecting portion, a bell coupled to the collapsible portion, a base, a central axis extending from the finish to the base, and a sidewall extending between the bell and the base. The collapsible assembly is configured to actuate along the central axis between a first extended position and a second depressed position, in the first extended position the first groove is positioned further away from the base than the second groove, and in the second depressed position the first groove is positioned closer to the base than the second groove.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/962,900, filed on Jan. 17, 2020, and entitled Bi-StableSemi-Collapsible Container for Stacking, the entire contents of which isherein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to plastic containers. More specifically,the present disclosure relates to a plastic container that issemi-collapsible while containing a liquid to improve stacking andstability, without adversely affecting shelf space.

BACKGROUND

Plastic containers are an alternative to glass or metal containers. Acommon plastic used in the manufacture of plastic containers ispolyethylene terephthalate (or PET). Containers made of PET aregenerally transparent, thin walled, and can maintain their shape inresponse to force exerted on the walls by the contents of the container.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a bottle includes a finish defining a bottle opening,a collapsible assembly carrying the finish, the collapsible assemblyincluding a first groove coupled to a second groove by a connectingportion, a bell coupled to the collapsible portion, a base, a centralaxis extending from the finish to the base, and a sidewall extendingbetween the bell and the base. The collapsible assembly is configured toactuate along the central axis between a first extended position and asecond depressed position, in the first extended position the firstgroove is positioned further away from the base than the second groove,and in the second depressed position the first groove is positionedcloser to the base than the second groove.

In another embodiment, a bottle includes a finish defining a bottleopening, a neck coupled to the finish, a bell, a connecting portioncoupled at a first end to the neck, and at a second opposite end to thebell, a base, and a sidewall extending between the bell and the base.The connecting portion is configured to pivot relative to the bellbetween a first position and a second position, wherein the neck ispositioned closer to the base in the second position than in the firstposition.

In another embodiment, a stacked bottle system includes a first bottleand a second bottle. The first bottle includes a first base defining afirst central recess and a plurality of first feet, a first bell coupledto the first base by a first sidewall, a first finish coupled to thefirst bell and defining a first bottle opening, and a first central axisextending from the first finish to the first base. A second bottleincludes a second base, a second bell coupled to the second base by asecond sidewall, a second finish defining a second bottle opening, and asecond central axis extending from the second finish to the second base,wherein the second finish is translatable along the second central axisfrom a first position to a second position, and wherein in the secondposition the second finish is closer to the second base than in thefirst position. The first bottle is configured to be stacked onto thesecond bottle, the first central recess configured to receive a portionof the second finish of the second bottle in the second position, andthe plurality of first feet configured to contact the second bell aboutthe first central axis.

Other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent by consideration ofthe detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of an embodiment of a bottleillustrating a semi-collapsible portion.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the bottle shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the bottle shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the bottle shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a close-up perspective view of a collapsible portion of thebottle in an extended configuration as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the bottle shown in FIG. 1, takenalong line 6-6 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a close-up perspective cross-sectional view of the collapsibleportion of the bottle shown in FIG. 1, taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the bottle shown in FIG. 1 with the collapsibleportion of the bottle in a depressed configuration.

FIG. 9 is a close-up perspective view of the collapsible portion of thebottle in the depressed configuration as shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a close-up perspective cross-sectional view of thecollapsible portion of the bottle in the depressed configuration shownin FIG. 8, taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a close-up perspective cross-sectional view of the base ofthe bottle shown in FIG. 1, taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a first, top bottleand a portion of a second, bottom bottle that are stacked, the bottlesbeing the bottles illustrated in FIG. 1 with the collapsible portion ofthe bottom bottle in the depressed configuration.

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a system for producing thebottle of FIG. 1.

Before embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is tobe understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and the arrangement of components set forthin the following description or illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. The disclosure can support other embodiments and of beingpracticed or of being carried out in various ways.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure illustrates a container 100 that includes aportion that is semi-collapsible and bi-stable. The container 100illustrated in the figures is a bottle 100, and further an approximatelyone-gallon bottle. It should be appreciated that a bottle 100, andspecifically a one-gallon bottle is provided for purposes ofillustration and is not limiting. The semi-collapsible and bi-stablecomponents can be used with any type of suitable container or vessel, orany size of suitable bottle that benefits from semi-collapsibility(e.g., to reduce an overall height of the bottle, etc.) and/or isbi-stable (e.g., to improve stability with at least two bottles beingstacked, etc.).

FIGS. 1-2 illustrate a bottle 100 (also referred to as a container 100).The bottle 100 includes a bell 104, a base 108, and a sidewall 112. Thesidewall 112 (also referred to as a body 112) extends between the bell104 and the base 108. A shoulder 114 provides a transition between thesidewall 112 and the bell 104. The bell 104 extends upward and inwardrelative to a central axis 115 to a neck 116 and a finish 120. Thecentral axis 115 extends from the finish 120 to the base 108. The neck116 is coupled to the bell 104, and the finish 120 is coupled to theneck 116. The finish 120 defines a bottle opening 124 (or an opening 124or an orifice 124) (shown in FIG. 1) that leads to an interior of thebottle 100. The finish 120 includes a thread 128 and a sealing surface132. The thread 128 is configured to engage a closure (or a cap) (notshown). The sealing surface 132 defines a circumferential perimeter endof the opening 124. The sealing surface 132 is configured to engage witha portion of the closure (not shown) to seal the opening 124. A neckring 136 (also referred to as a transfer bead 136) circumferentiallyextends around the neck 116 and is positioned between the finish 120 andthe neck 116. The interior of the bottle 100 is configured to contain abeverage and/or other contents.

The bell 104 includes a first plurality of load ribs 140. The load ribs140 are positioned around a circumference of the bell 104 and arefurther illustrated in a curved (or an arcuate) orientation. In otherembodiments, the first plurality of load ribs 140 can be any suitableshape or orientation (horizontal, vertical, wavy, angled, etc.). In yetother embodiments, the bell 104 can have no load ribs 140.

The sidewall 112 includes a second plurality of load ribs 144. The loadribs 144 are positioned around a circumference of the sidewall 112. Theload ribs 144 are illustrated in a vertical, wavy orientation around theside wall 112. In other embodiments, the second plurality of load ribs144 can be any suitable shape or orientation (horizontal, vertical,wavy, angled, etc.). In yet other embodiments, the bell sidewall 112 canhave no load ribs 144. In yet other embodiments, the sidewall 112 caninclude a label panel (not shown), which can include a smooth portion ofthe sidewall 112 that is configured to received label. In still yetother embodiments, a circumferential label (not shown) can extend aroundthe circumference of the sidewall 112.

The base 108 defines a plurality of feet 148. The feet 148 arepositioned on the base 108 about the central axis 115 (see FIG. 2). Withreference to FIG. 3, a plurality of slots 152 radially extend from acentral recess 156 (or a push up 156). Each slot 152 is positionedbetween consecutive feet 148. Stated another way, the slots 152 separateone foot 148 from the adjacent foot 148. In the illustrated embodiment,the bottle 100 includes eight feet 148 and eight slots 152. In otherembodiments, the bottle 100 includes any suitable number of feet 148 andassociated slots 152, for example a plurality of feet 148 (e.g., two,three, or four or more, etc.) and a plurality of slots 152.

With reference now to FIG. 2, the bottle 100 includes a collapsibleassembly 160 (also referred to as a collapsible area 160). Thecollapsible assembly 160 is positioned between the neck 116 and the bell104. In other embodiments, the collapsible assembly 160 is included as aportion of the bell 104 (or defined by the bell 104). The collapsibleassembly 160 can carry the neck 116 and the finish 120. As shown inFIGS. 1-2 and 5-7, the collapsible assembly 160 is depicted in a firstposition (or a first configuration, or an uncollapsed position, or anextended position).

As shown in FIGS. 4-5, the collapsible assembly 160 is defined by afirst groove 164 (or a first indentation 164 or a first valley 164 or afirst notch 164 or a first depression 164), a second groove 168 (or asecond indentation 168 or a second valley 168 or a second notch 168 or asecond depression 168), and a connecting portion 172 (or a collapsibleportion 172). The first groove 164 has an annular shape (or circularshape) around the finish 120 to define a first annular groove 164.Similarly, the second groove 168 has an annular shape (or circularshape) around the finish 120 to define a second annular groove 168. Thefirst groove 164 is concentric to the second groove 168. Further, thefirst and second grooves 164, 168 are concentric relative to the centralaxis 115 (or relative to the finish 120). More specifically, the firstgroove 164 has a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the secondgroove 168. The first and second grooves 164, 168 are connected by theconnecting portion 172. The connecting portion 172 is a portion of thebottle 100 that extends from the first groove 164 to the second groove168 to interconnect the first and second grooves 164, 168. Statedanother way, the first and second grooves 164, 168 define a connectingportion 172 therebetween. The connecting portion 172 has a hingedconnection with the first groove 164, and a hinged connection with thesecond groove 168. Stated yet another way, the connecting portion 172extends from the bell 104 to the finish 120, and more specifically fromthe bell 104 to the neck 116. The connecting portion 172 is coupled tothe neck 116 (or to the finish 120) at a first end and coupled to thebell 104 at a second end, opposite the first end. The connecting portion172 is configured to hinge relative to the neck 116 (or to the finish120), and further configured to hinge relative to the bell 104. Thehinged connections can be defined by the first and second grooves 164,168, respectively. The hinged connections can also be defined by aninner circumference 164 of the connecting portion 172, and an outercircumference 168 of the connecting portion 172. In other embodiments,each groove 164, 168 can have any suitable geometric shape (e.g.,triangle, square, pentagon, hexagon, octagon, etc.) that extends aroundthe finish 120. In addition, the connecting portion 172 can have anannular shape, or can be any suitable geometric shape (e.g., triangle,square, pentagon, hexagon, octagon, etc.) that extends around the finish120.

With reference now to FIGS. 5-7, the collapsible assembly 160 isillustrated in the first position. In this extended position, the finish120 is positioned above the collapsible assembly 160. Further, the neck116 is positioned above the collapsible assembly 160. With specificreference to FIGS. 5 and 7, the connecting portion 172 extends upward,or in an upward direction, from the second groove 168 to the firstgroove 164. In this configuration, the connecting portion 172 has apositive slope relative to the bell 104 as the connecting portion 172extends from the bell 104 towards the neck 116. Stated another way, theconnecting portion 172 extends away from the base 108 (shown in FIG. 6)towards the neck 116. Stated yet another way, the connecting portion 172extends away from the base 108 (shown in FIG. 6) as it extends from thesecond groove 168 to the first groove 164 towards the finish 120 (or anyassociated component of the finish 120). Further, stated yet anotherway, the first groove 164 is positioned above the second groove 168 suchthat the first groove 164 is positioned further away from the base 108(shown in FIG. 6) than the second groove 168.

Now referring to FIGS. 8-10, the bottle 100 is illustrated with thecollapsible assembly 160 in the second position (or a secondconfiguration, or a collapsed position, or a depressed position, or aretracted position). In this depressed position, the finish 120 islowered towards the base 108 (shown in FIG. 8) of the bottle 100 suchthat the finish 120 is closer to the base 108 than in the extendedposition. With specific reference to FIGS. 9-10, the connecting portion172 extends downward, or in a downward direction, from the second groove168 to the first groove 164. In this configuration, the connectingportion 172 has a negative slope relative to the bell 104 as theconnecting portion 172 extends from the bell 104 towards the neck 116.Stated another way, the connecting portion 172 extends towards the base108 (shown in FIG. 8) as it extends from the second groove 168 to thefirst groove 164 towards the neck 116. Stated yet another way, theconnecting portion 172 extends towards the base 108 (shown in FIG. 6) asit extends from the second groove 168 to the first groove 164 towardsthe finish 120 (or any associated component of the finish 120). Further,stated yet another way, the first groove 164 is positioned below thesecond groove 168 such that the first groove 164 is positioned closer tothe base 108 (shown in FIG. 6) than the second groove 168.

To actuate the collapsible assembly 160 from the extended first positionto the depressed second position, a downward force 178 (shown in FIG. 8)is applied to the finish 120. As the downward force 178 is applied, thefinish 120 and neck 116 translate (or move) along the central axis 115(shown in FIG. 2) towards the base 108. As the finish 120 and neck 116translate, the connecting portion 172 pivots relative to the firstgroove 164 and pivots relative to the second groove 168. Morespecifically, the connecting portion 172 pivots relative to the firstgroove 164 away from the base 108 (or towards the finish 120). Theconnecting portion 172 also pivots relative to the second groove 168towards the base 108 (or away from the finish 120). Accordingly, thefirst and second grooves 164, 168 cooperate, and are configured topermit the connecting portion 172 to move from a first orientationassociated with the extended first position, where the connectingportion 172 extends away from the base 108 from the second groove 168 tothe first groove 164, to a second orientation associated with thedepressed second position, where the connecting portion 172 extendstowards the base 108 from the second groove 168 to the first groove 164.As the connecting portion 172 moves from the first orientation to thesecond orientation, the first groove 164 translates (or moves) along thecentral axis 115 towards the base 108. It should be appreciated that theneck 116 and the finish 120, which are carried by the collapsibleassembly 160, are positioned along the central axis 115 closer to thebase 108 in the depressed, second position than in the extended, firstposition.

With reference back to FIG. 2, in the extended, first position of thecollapsible assembly 160, the bottle 100 has a first height H₁. Thefirst height H₁ is a bottle height that vertically extends from thesealing surface 132 (or the top end of the finish 120) to a restingsurface 174 defined by a bottom of the foot/feet 148 (or a bottom of thebase 108). The resting surface 174 is the surface upon which the bottle100 rests (or stands). With specific reference to FIG. 8, in thedepressed, second position of the collapsible assembly 160, the bottle100 has a second height H₂. Like the first height H₁, the second heightH₂ is the bottle height that vertically extends from the sealing surface132 (or the top end of the finish 120) to the resting surface 174defined by the bottom of the foot/feet 148 (or the bottom of the base108). The first height H₁ is greater (or longer) than the second heightH₂. Accordingly, the bottle 100 is taller when the collapsible assembly160 is in the extended, first position than when the collapsibleassembly 160 is in the depressed, second position. Stated another way,transitioning the collapsible assembly 160 from the extended, firstposition to the depressed, second position reduces an overall height ofthe bottle 100. It should be appreciated that the semi-collapsibility ofthe bottle 100 is defined by the collapsible assembly 160 beingadjustable between the extended, first position and the depressed,second position.

When the collapsible assembly 160 is in the depressed, second position,the force required to transition back to the extended, first position isgreater than the weight of a full bottle 100. More specifically, theforce is approximately 1.5 times the weight of a full bottle. As anonlimiting example, a bottle 100 that is one-gallon in size and filledto contain one gallon of a liquid weighs in the range of approximately8.34 pounds to 9.0 pounds, and more specifically at least 8.34 pounds.The force required to move the collapsible assembly 160 from thedepressed, second position to the extended, first position is in therange of approximately 12.0 pounds to 14.0 pounds. Accordingly, theforce to withdraw the collapsible assembly 160 from the second positionto the first position is in the range of approximately 1.33 to 1.68times the weight of the full bottle, and more specifically in the rangeof approximately 1.44 to 1.56 times the weight of the full bottle, andmore specifically approximately 1.50 times the weight of the fullbottle. Since the force required to withdraw the collapsible assembly160 from the depressed to the extended position is greater than theweight of the full bottle 100, a user can grasp the bottle 100 in theregion of the finish 120 or the neck 116, and the collapsible assembly160 will remain in the depressed, second position. For example, in someembodiments of the bottle 100, a handle (not shown) can be attachedaround the neck 116. The user can then carry the full bottle 100 by thehandle. The collapsible assembly 160 is designed to withstand the forceapplied to the neck 116, through the handle, generated by carrying thefull bottle 100 by the handle, and maintain the collapsible assembly 160in the depressed, second position. It should be appreciated that inother embodiments of the bottle 100 having different sizes and/orcontaining different volumes of a liquid, the approximate ranges of thefull bottle weight can be different. However, in these otherembodiments, the force to withdraw the collapsible assembly 160 from thesecond position to the first position is greater than the combinedweight of the bottle and the full contents of the bottle.

The bottle 100 also includes improved stability with at least twobottles being stacked. This can be referred to as bi-stable or improvedstackability. With reference to FIG. 11, the central recess 156 is sizedto receive a portion of the finish 120 of a second, adjacent bottle 100having a collapsible assembly 160. FIG. 12 illustrates a stacked bottlesystem (or a stacked bottle configuration), and more specifically afirst bottle 100 a stacked on a second bottle 100 b. The bottles 100 a,100 b are identical to bottle 100 disclosed above. FIG. 12 illustratesthe base 108 of the first, top bottle 100 a. In addition, FIG. 12illustrates the bell 104 and the collapsible assembly 160 of the bottom,second bottle 100 b. The collapsible assembly 160 of the bottom, secondbottle 100 b is in the depressed, second position. In response to beingstacked, the central recess 156 of the first (top) bottle 100 a isconfigured to receive a portion of the finish 120 of an adjacent second(bottom) bottle 100 b. The central recess 156 and feet 148 define acavity 176 (shown in FIGS. 11-12). The cavity 176 is sized to receive aportion of the finish 120 and the neck 116 of the adjacent, secondbottle 100 b. In addition, the feet 148 of the first (top) bottle 100 aare configured to contact the bell 104 of the second (bottom) bottle 100b about the central axis 115 (see FIG. 2). The combination of the sizedcentral recess 156 and the cavity 176 of bottle 100 a, which receives aportion of the finish 120 and neck 116 of the adjacent second bottle 100b when the collapsible assembly 160 of the second bottle 100 b is in thedepressed second position, and the feet 148 of the bottle 100 a, whichcontact the bell 104 of the adjacent second bottle 100 b when thecollapsible assembly 160 of the second bottle 100 b is in the depressedsecond position, provides improved stability when the bottles 100 a, 100b are stacked upon each other. The improved stability for at least twostacked bottles 100 a, 100 b is thus bi-stable. It should be appreciatedthat FIG. 12 illustrates the second bottle 100 b without a closure. Thisis for purposes of illustration. In other embodiments, the bottles 100a, 100 b that contain a liquid will have a closure (or a cap) thatcovers/seals the finish 120. In yet other embodiments, in response to afirst bottle 100 a being stacked onto a second bottle 100 b, and eachbottle containing a liquid, there may be some deflection or deformationof the bottle structure in one or both bottles 100 a, 100 b. Forexample, a portion of the base 108 of the first bottle 100 a may deform(or deflect), such as towards the bell 104 of the first bottle 100 a, inresponse to the weight of the first bottle 100 a upon the second bottle100 b. As another example, a portion of the bell 104 of the secondbottle 100 b may deform (or deflect), such as towards the base 108 ofthe second bottle 100 b, in response to the weight of the first bottle100 a upon the second bottle 100 b. Any deformation and/or deflection ofthe bottles 100 a, 100 b can reinforce stability in a stackedorientation (or configuration).

FIG. 13 is an example of a process 200 for producing the bottle 100. Theprocess 200 includes a series of manufacturing steps that are depictedin flow diagram form. The process 200 begins at step 204, where thebottle 100 is manufactured. For example, the bottle 100 can be blowmolded from a preform using a blow molding process. In other examples,the bottle 100 can be molded in any generally known or desired processfor producing the bottle 100.

Next, at step 208 the bottle 100 can be filled with a liquid. Thefilling of the bottle 100 can include filling, capping, and disinfectingof the bottle and/or associated liquid. In other embodiments, filling ofthe bottle 100 can be performed using aseptic processing techniques. Thebottle 100 exits step 208 with the liquid in the bottle 100 and aremovable closure (or cap) sealing the liquid within the bottle 100. Thecollapsible assembly 160 of the bottle 100 is also in the extended,first position.

At step 212, the bottle 100 is actuated to transition the collapsibleassembly 160 from the extended, first position to the depressed, secondposition. During manufacturing of the bottle 100 (e.g., during blowmolding, etc.) the bottle 100 includes the collapsible assembly 160 inthe extended, first position. After the filling step 208, thecollapsible assembly 160 is then actuated to the depressed, secondposition. In one embodiment, actuation of the collapsible assembly 160bottle 100 can occur during attachment of the handle (not shown). Forexample, as the handle is attached to the bottle 100, the closure (notshown) and finish 120 is received by an aperture in the handle. Thehandle slides along the closure/finish 120, over the neck ring 136, andinto engagement with the neck 116. The equipment that attaches thehandle can then apply an additional downward force to the collapsibleassembly 160 through the handle. The downward force is sufficient toactuate the collapsible assembly 160 from the extended, first positionto the depressed, second position. In another embodiment, themanufacturing and/or handling equipment can include a finger (or arm).The finger (or arm) can apply a downward force onto the closure/finish120. The downward force applied by the finger (or arm) is sufficient toactuate the collapsible assembly 160 from the extended, first positionto the depressed, second position. In yet other embodiment, any suitablemanufacturing, filling, or handling equipment can include a component,finger, or arm to apply suitable downward force on the collapsibleassembly 160 for actuation from the extended, first position to thedepressed, second position. In addition, in other embodiments, theactuation of the collapsible assembly 160 from the extended, firstposition to the depressed, second position can occur at any suitablestep of the manufacturing, filling, and/or handling process aftermolding of the bottle 100 (e.g., before filling of the bottle, afterfilling of the bottle, etc.).

At step 216, following actuation of the collapsible assembly 160 to thedepressed, second position, the bottle 100 proceeds to any additionalprocessing steps. This can include application of a label, sorting,placement into groups for further packaging, etc.

One or more aspects of the bottle 100 provides certain advantages. Forexample, the collapsible assembly 160 provides a bottle 100 having anadjustable height. This allows for desired strength properties of thebottle 100, while also meeting certain height requirements of the bottle100. More specifically, by reducing the height of the bottle 100 throughactuation of the collapsible assembly 160 from the extended, firstposition to the depressed, second position, the bottle 100 can meet thenecessary shelving height requirements of a merchant. In addition, thebase 108 of each bottle 100 facilitates improved stability when stackingonto an adjacent bottle 100. In response to being stacked, the centralrecess 156 and cavity 176 of the bottle 100 is sized to receive theclosure/finish 120/neck 116 of an adjacent bottle, the adjacent bottlehaving the collapsible assembly 160 in the depressed, second position.The feet 148 of the bottle further contact the bell 104 of the adjacentbottle 100. This combination improves stacking stability of the bottles100. These and other advantages are realized by the disclosure providedherein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bottle comprising: a finish defining a bottleopening; a collapsible assembly carrying the finish, the collapsibleassembly including a first groove coupled to a second groove by aconnecting portion; a bell coupled to the collapsible portion; a base; acentral axis extending from the finish to the base; and a sidewallextending between the bell and the base, wherein the collapsibleassembly is configured to actuate along the central axis between a firstextended position and a second depressed position, in the first extendedposition the first groove is positioned further away from the base thanthe second groove, and in the second depressed position the first grooveis positioned closer to the base than the second groove.
 2. The bottleof claim 1, wherein the first groove and the second groove areconcentric relative to the central axis.
 3. The bottle of claim 1,wherein the first groove and the second groove are annular.
 4. Thebottle of claim 1, wherein the first groove has a diameter that issmaller than a diameter of the second groove.
 5. The bottle of claim 1,wherein in the first extended position, the connecting portion extendsfrom the second groove to the first groove away from the base, andwherein in the second depressed position, the connecting portion extendsfrom the second groove to the first groove towards the base.
 6. Thebottle of claim 5, wherein in the first extended position, theconnecting portion has an increasing slope relative to the bell, andwherein in the second depressed position, the connecting portion has adecreasing slope relative to the bell.
 7. The bottle of claim 1, furthercomprising: a resting surface defined by the base; a sealing surfacedefining the perimeter of the opening; and a bottle height defined by avertical distance extending from the resting surface to the sealingsurface, wherein in the first extended position, the bottle height is afirst height, and wherein in the second depressed position, the bottleheight is a second height, the first height being greater than thesecond height.
 8. The bottle of claim 1, further comprising an axiallength defined by a vertical distance extending from the finish to thebase along the central axis, wherein the axial length changes betweenthe first extended position and the second depressed position.
 9. Thebottle of claim 1, wherein the base defines a central recess and aplurality of feet, the central recess configured to receive a portion ofa second finish associated with a second bottle upon which the base isstacked.
 10. The bottle of claim 9, wherein the second bottle includes asecond collapsible portion that carries the second finish and is coupledto a second bell, the second collapsible portion including a thirdgroove separated from a fourth groove by a second connecting portion,wherein the second collapsible portion is in a second depressed positionwhere the third groove is positioned below the fourth groove.
 11. Thebottle of claim 10, wherein the plurality of feet are configured tocontact the second bell about the central axis.
 12. A bottle comprising:a finish defining a bottle opening; a neck coupled to the finish; abell; a connecting portion coupled at a first end to the neck, and at asecond opposite end to the bell; a base; and a sidewall extendingbetween the bell and the base, wherein the connecting portion isconfigured to pivot relative to the bell between a first position and asecond position, wherein the neck is positioned closer to the base inthe second position than in the first position.
 13. The bottle of claim12, wherein in the connecting portion is configured to pivot relative tothe neck between the first position and the second position.
 14. Thebottle of claim 12, wherein in the first position, the connectingportion extends away from the base from the bell to the neck, andwherein in the second position, the connecting portion extends towardsthe base from the bell to the neck.
 15. The bottle of claim 12, whereinthe neck is configured to translate along an axis extending from thefinish to the base between the first position and the second position.16. The bottle of claim 15, wherein the finish is configured totranslate along the axis between the first position and the secondposition, the finish is positioned closer to the base in the secondposition than in the first position.
 17. The bottle of claim 12,including a height defined by a vertical distance extending from an endof the finish and an opposite end of the base, wherein in the firstposition, the height is a first height, and wherein in the secondposition, the height is a second height, the first height being longerthan the second height.
 18. A stacked bottle system comprising: a firstbottle including: a first base defining a first central recess and aplurality of first feet; a first bell coupled to the first base by afirst sidewall; a first finish coupled to the first bell and defining afirst bottle opening; and a first central axis extending from the firstfinish to the first base; and a second bottle including: a second base;a second bell coupled to the second base by a second sidewall; a secondfinish defining a second bottle opening; and a second central axisextending from the second finish to the second base, wherein the secondfinish is translatable along the second central axis from a firstposition to a second position, and wherein in the second position thesecond finish is closer to the second base than in the first position,and wherein the first bottle is configured to be stacked onto the secondbottle, the first central recess configured to receive a portion of thesecond finish of the second bottle in the second position, and theplurality of first feet configured to contact the second bell about thefirst central axis.
 19. The stacked bottle system of claim 18, whereinthe first finish of the first bottle is translatable along the firstcentral axis from a first position to a second position, and wherein inthe second position the first finish is closer to the first base than inthe first position.
 20. The stacked bottle configuration of claim 18,wherein the second base of the second bottle defines a second centralrecess and a plurality of second feet.